FEATURE ROOFING
An Ace of Space For architects, developers, housebuilders and importantly for homeowners, room in roof systems provide more space and breathe new life into a buildings’ traditional ‘dead zone’.
U
sing timber technology and offsite manufacture methods,
The factory-controlled manufacture means the products are created
room in roof systems are becoming increasingly popular
under strict quality control procedures. This helps ensure no cold spots in the
for building designers and specifiers, offering a complete
panels or spandrels that may arise from more traditional construction methods
roof solution and helping maximise sellable space by
onsite. This is an important factor in the drive to close the performance gap.
developing the extra space.
The risk of downtime associated with co-ordinating multiple trades, product
Amongst the market leaders in the UK is Smartroof, whose systems
deliveries and safe storage of materials from different suppliers for traditional
comprise of a series of factory-produced panels incorporating insulated roof
room in roof is virtually eliminated. This helps free up the housebuilder’s skilled
panels, spandrel wall panels, dormers, roof windows, GRP chimneys, soffit and
trades onsite to speed up the build programme.
fascia – all delivered to site as a complete package and craned into place. Once insitu, the roofs simply require roof tiling. The system has many benefits including less waste, a better overall control of quality, and are safer and more efficient to install. Room in roof systems also include less time spent working at height and erecting scaffolding in confined spaces. Reduced vehicle movements onsite and less manual handling is a further benefit during the install process and the risk associated with falling blockwork from exposed gable walls is eliminated. To cope with the increased specification of its panelised room in roof system, Smartroof recently completed a £1.2 million investment in its Derbyshire production facility to further drive efficiencies, improve quality and meet the growing demand for its roof system. The investment at the company’s Swadlincote facility will see manufacturing capabilities increase by 150%, meaning they will have the ability to produce up to 25 plots per day. As part of the investment at the 48,000sq ft production facility, attention has been paid to layout and flow of materials. Five state-of-the-art fabrication bays have been installed along with 18 new overhead cranes. To further
Speaking about the company’s investment in its UK manufacturing
increase the efficiency of production processes, new automated CNC saws
operation, Kevin Sherlock, Managing Director at Smartroof said: “Following
enable safe, accurate and fast cross-cutting, while new roof and spandrel
the continuing growth of our business it became clear we needed to further
benches have been constructed to incorporate retractable airline hoses
invest in our production facility to match the expectation and growth in
for improved safety. Whilst improving staff safety and reducing waste, the
demand from our customers. With housebuilders turning to ‘room in roof’
investment has dramatically increased the company’s production capability.
systems, this investment has allowed us to improve our output and support
The investment programme has reinforced Smartroof’s position as
the delivery of UK housing programmes with an innovative system that meets
one of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturers of room in roof solutions,
the requirements for quality, safety and performance. The growth in home
enabling the company to meet the housing sectors growing demand
working and the need for extra dedicated space – rather than the dining room
whilst improving working conditions of its growing workforce. Being
table – will also mean housebuilders will be looking for ways to maximise
manufactured offsite it offers a whole range of benefits associated with
available space and financial return. Our ‘room in roof’ system is a solution they
moving roof construction away from the building site and into a factory
will want to explore as we look to exploit a new home’s full potential.”
controlled environment, ranging from improved health and safety, speed More at www.smartroof.co.uk
of construction, risk and cost certainty and consistent quality.
Timber Construction Magazine
Spring 2021
18
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